Softball: Cabot routs Van Buren in playoffs

Saturday

SPRINGDALE — After battling just to make the 7A State Tournament, Van Buren’s softball team came up empty in a 11-1 loss to Cabot in the first round at Springdale High School on Thursday.

Northside’s game against Har-Ber was suspended in the second inning because of rain with the Lady Bears trailing, 5-0. That game, and Conway against Heritage resumed on Friday.

Van Buren (11-15) ended its season after winning eight of its last 11 to make the field in several elimination games.

"We are disappointed because we had put things together and were playing really well the last few weeks," Van Buren coach Andy Williams said. "We came out and played one of our worst games of the season today. We made a few errors, they came up with some good plays and it kind of snowballed on us."

Van Buren took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first but gave up three runs in the home half. Cabot (14-13) scored six in the sixth to end the game by run rule. Cabot was aided by five Van Buren errors in six innings.

Ashton Sangster, Tori Stafford and Destiny Moses had the Pointerettes’ three hits.

Williams hugged his seniors, which included his daughter Kinsey, a four-year starter, in an emotional goodbye.

"It was tough to go out like this," Williams said. "I told them not to focus on one game, but to look back on what they accomplished to get here. They battled and I am proud of them."